Month: September 2018

Sunday: Worship

Pray: Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God’s name.

From God to us, from death to life, from me to you … in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gracious Lord God, we want to hear your words of wisdom, and to learn from them. Help us to remember all of your teachings. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Listen: Pay close attention as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.

Psalm 37:30-34
Words of wisdom come when good people speak for justice. They remember God’s teachings, and they never take a wrong step. The wicked try to trap and kill good people, but the Lord is on their side, and he will defend them when they are on trial. (CEV)

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: The psalm tells us that God will defend good people. What does this mean? How does God use us to defend others?

Child: The Bible reminds us that the Lord is on our side. Why is this an important thing to remember, even in times when we are wrong? How does God being with us help us to do better?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Lord God, you are always working for good and defending those who need your help. Use us for your good purposes, so that we may be a blessing in the lives of others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Saturday: Generosity

Pray: Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God’s name.

From God to us, from death to life, from me to you … in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Mighty Lord, make us firm in faith, and brave in sharing it. Help us to learn what it means to be courageous as we read more about Paul today. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Listen: Pay close attention as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.

Acts 24:14-16
[Paul said,] “I admit that their leaders think that the Lord’s Way, which I follow, is based on wrong beliefs. But I still worship the same God that my ancestors worshiped. And I believe everything written in the Law of Moses and in the Prophets. I am just as sure as these people are that God will raise from death everyone who is good or evil. And because I am sure, I try my best to have a clear conscience in whatever I do for God or for people.” (CEV)

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: Paul spoke about believing in Jesus as “the Lord’s Way”? Why is trusting and believing in Him the “way” that God wants us to live each day?

Child: When we trust in Jesus, why does that make us want to help others trust in Jesus, too? How does God use us to give his promise to others?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Dear Lord, people learn about you from what they see in us, your followers. Help us to be generous and good, so that our lives would give you glory. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Friday: Trust

Pray: Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God’s name.

From God to us, from death to life, from me to you …
in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O God, the world is full of temptations. Be with us, guard us, and make us strong, inside and out. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Listen: Pay close attention to this reminder from Luther’s Small Catechism.

God indeed tempts no one to sin, but we pray in this petition that God would guard and protect us from this, that the devil, the world, and our sinful nature may not deceive us or lead us into false belief, despair, and other great and shameful sins, but pray that when we are tempted in these ways, we may finally prevail and gain the victory. (Luther’s Small Catechism)

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: Have you ever been tempted to do something wrong, but felt God leading you away from that? What happened? How did God help you?

Child: Luther’s Small Catechism tells us that “God tempts no one to sin.” What does that tell us about God? Why can knowing this help us to trust God more fully?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Heavenly Father, you are good, all the time, and we can trust you with everything. Thank you for guiding us, and for helping us to say “no” when we are tempted to sin. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Wednesday: Mercy

Pray: Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God’s name.

From God to us, from death to life, from me to you … in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Almighty God, you give us what we need when we face challenges. Be with us now, and help us to learn more about the quiet ways you shower us with mercy. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Listen: Pay close attention as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.

Acts 24:10-12
The governor motioned for Paul to speak, and he began: “I know that you have judged the people of our nation for many years, and I am glad to defend myself in your court. It was no more than twelve days ago that I went to worship in Jerusalem. You can find this out easily enough. Never once did the Jews find me arguing with anyone in the temple. I didn’t cause trouble in the Jewish meeting places or in the city itself. (CEV)

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: When Paul was ask to explain his actions, he was very respectful? Why is it important to show respect to others, even when they don’t show respect to us?

Child: Many people said Paul was guilty, but Paul had done nothing wrong. How does it feel to be accused of something you didn’t do? Does it help to know that Paul (and Jesus) experienced this same thing?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

God of grace, you see all and know all. When people say bad things about us, help us to remain honest and respectful, so that by our words and actions, we will show the truth. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Tuesday: Struggle

Pray: Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God’s name.

From God to us, from death to life, from me to you …
in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lord God, you know us by name, and we belong to you. Let that good news soak into our hearts and minds today, and help us to remember it when we are feeling most alone. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Listen: Pay close attention as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.

Acts 24:5-9
[A lawyer named Tertullus, and several other leaders, went to the governor to present a case against Paul]: “This man has been found to be a real pest and troublemaker for Jews all over the world. He is also a leader of a group called Nazarenes. When he tried to disgrace the temple, we arrested him. If you question him, you will find out for yourself that our charges are true.” The Jewish crowd spoke up and agreed with what Tertullus had said. (CEV)

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: No matter where Paul went, he met people who were against him. Why do you think he chose to continue to work for Jesus? Would you have the courage to do that? Why or why not?

Child: As people who believe in Jesus, should we expect our lives always to be easy? Why or why not?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Heavenly Father, most of us would like a simple, stress-free life. But sometimes, serving you requires doing the hard things. Help us to remain faithful each day. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Monday: Understanding

Pray: Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God's name.

From God to us, from death to life, from me to you …
in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O God, guide us and make us into the people you would have us be. As we hear your Word today, help us to grow in faith. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Listen: Pay close attention as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.

Acts 24:5-16
[A lawyer named Tertullus, and several other leaders, went to the governor to present a case against Paul]: “This man has been found to be a real pest and troublemaker for Jews all over the world. He is also a leader of a group called Nazarenes. When he tried to disgrace the temple, we arrested him. If you question him, you will find out for yourself that our charges are true.” The Jewish crowd spoke up and agreed with what Tertullus had said.

The governor motioned for Paul to speak, and he began: “I know that you have judged the people of our nation for many years, and I am glad to defend myself in your court. It was no more than twelve days ago that I went to worship in Jerusalem. You can find this out easily enough. Never once did the Jews find me arguing with anyone in the temple. I didn’t cause trouble in the Jewish meeting places or in the city itself. There is no way that they can prove these charges that they are now bringing against me.

"I admit that their leaders think that the Lord’s Way which I follow is based on wrong beliefs. But I still worship the same God that my ancestors worshiped. And I believe everything written in the Law of Moses and in the Prophets. I am just as sure as these people are that God will raise from death everyone who is good or evil. And because I am sure, I try my best to have a clear conscience in whatever I do for God or for people.” (CEV)

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: The community leaders wanted Paul to stop talking about Jesus. What does it feel like when a whole group is against you? Has that ever happened to you?

Child: When things go against us, how does trusting in God help us not to lose hope?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Lord God, be with those Christians around the world who are treated unfairly or even jailed for their faith. Strengthen them, free them, and let them know that they are not forgotten. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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Holy Families! is an initiative of the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) and Sola Publishing, provided through a generous grant from the Thrivent Foundation, in honor of the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation (1517-2017).

The Holy Family Time daily devotional is written by: Mrs. Kelly Hanson (Ladysmith, WI) and Rev. Steven E. King (Oakdale, MN).